VacMaster Chamber Vacuum Sealer - Considering a purchase

[kenzmad]

Have had my 215 for a couple of years now. Try sealing soup with the food saver. Makes a friggin mess. We seal bulk hummingbird food, soup, water. Eating crab tomorrow that was sealed july/2015. Defy you to tell me it aint fresh. Burned through 4 or 5 foodsavers before buying this unit. Whitpirate can attest, no wait between bags, $0.04 per bag. Did 2 elk for him and a bunch of pig before he bought one himself. Great units

[quadrafire]

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/search/ary-vacmaster-vp215.html

I'll say this is one of the best purchases I've made in a while. Ordered less than a week ago and showed up today. It's a beast at almost 100 lbs. I charged it with oil and started sealing some bags. It came with 75 of 3 different sizes. I'm sure there is a learning curve to sealing different things and sizes. But so far so good.
Any current users post up any tips.
I have some chicken in now for a quick marinade for kebabs. 
 

[Antlershed]

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/search/ary-vacmaster-vp215.html

I'll say this is one of the best purchases I've made in a while. Ordered less than a week ago and showed up today. It's a beast at almost 100 lbs. I charged it with oil and started sealing some bags. It came with 75 of 3 different sizes. I'm sure there is a learning curve to sealing different things and sizes. But so far so good.
Any current users post up any tips.
I have some chicken in now for a quick marinade for kebabs. 
 

I bought a cheap Harbor Freight cart to set mine on so I can wheel it around the garage if needed. 

[quadrafire]

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/search/ary-vacmaster-vp215.html

I'll say this is one of the best purchases I've made in a while. Ordered less than a week ago and showed up today. It's a beast at almost 100 lbs. I charged it with oil and started sealing some bags. It came with 75 of 3 different sizes. I'm sure there is a learning curve to sealing different things and sizes. But so far so good.
Any current users post up any tips.
I have some chicken in now for a quick marinade for kebabs. 
 

I bought a cheap Harbor Freight cart to set mine on so I can wheel it around the garage if needed. 

Great idea

[quadrafire]

I Bought the VP215 a couple years ago and haven't looked back. 

VP215 for $699 with free shipping

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/ary-vacmaster-vp215-chamber-vacuum-packaging-machine-with-10-1-4-seal-bar/120VMASVP215.html

$669 now with no tax/no shipping.

[NRA4LIFE]

Some things I have noted when sealing wet stuff or liquids:

When sealing liquids or wet marinades, remove one or both of the spacer plates.  That way the liquid is well below the sealing bar.  Some liquids can start boiling when the pressure starts getting real low and can start creeping up towards the bar.  In that case, keep your finger on the stop button and hit it when the liquid gets close to the bar.  The bag will seal then and you'll have plenty of vacuum.

[Whitpirate]

And all liquids you try and seal need to be cool or chilled.  Do not put warm soup in there, or even 'warmish' liquid it will boil at vacuum and cause a mess even if you hit the stop button. 

[quadrafire]

Good tips. Thanks.

[luvmystang67]

I was really hoping that they'd go on sale for Labor Day from webstaurant store... but that didn't happen.  Now i'm wishing I'd picked one up at the $669... Still, $689 doesn't seem like a bad buy at all compared to what they used to go for.

Let me know if you guys see anything below $689 in the next couple of weeks...

[Rainstorm Hunter]

The VP215 is well worth the money! I just bought one in may and have been packing my salmon all summer with it. Amazing difference even over the commercial grade westons and etc. I got mine for $729 from the webstaurant store, under $700 is a great deal if you ask me! You wont be dissapointed

[KopperBuck]

I was really hoping that they'd go on sale for Labor Day from webstaurant store... but that didn't happen.  Now i'm wishing I'd picked one up at the $669... Still, $689 doesn't seem like a bad buy at all compared to what they used to go for.

Let me know if you guys see anything below $689 in the next couple of weeks...

$679 right now... I'm really thinking about picking one up. I'm without a unit right now, but I'm not sure I can drop that kind of coin right now.

[NRA4LIFE]

Consider it an investment. The bag savings will pay for it over time.  You'll find yourself vacuum sealing everything you wouldn't have with the foodsaver type because of the cost of the bags.  I buy bags by the thousands.

[KopperBuck]

Totally with you. Just that 2016 hasn't exactly been real kind in the Ag business.

What's the difference between the 215c and 215? I can't seem to find the "c" version. Did they just drop the letter?

[NRA4LIFE]

I think when I bought mine the difference was the C version had the oil pump.  Maybe that's not the case anymore?

[Whitpirate]

Oil pump.  You want it.